Are The Animals In The American Museum Of Natural History Real

Guidelines for Visiting

The Smithsonian is implementing COVID-19 safety measures based on guidance from the CDC and local governments. The latest guidelines are available at si.edu/visit/tips.

When is the museum open?
The National Museum of Natural History is vii days a week from 10 a.m. to v:thirty p.m., except December 25.

Are masks all the same required?
As of March 11, masks are not required to visit Smithsonian museums or the National Zoo. While information technology will non be required, all visitors who feel more comfortable wearing a face mask during their visit are encouraged to do so.

Are passes necessary to enter the museum?
No, gratis timed-entry passes are no longer needed to enter the museum.

Volition in that location be security screening?
For everyone's prophylactic, all visitors are required to get through screening during the security process. One of our security personnel will conduct a thorough but hand-bank check of all bags, briefcases, purses, strollers, and containers. Delight visit the Smithsonian's security information page for more data on prohibited items.

All visitors are required to walk through a metal detector. Those unable to go through the metal detector will be mitt-screened with an electronic wand past security personnel.

Protective safety shields have been installed at bag-cheque screening stations and register. Nosotros encourage visitors to limit the number of personal belongings and bags brought into the museum as they will be subject to a thorough search. Limiting the items brought will increase your speed through security checkpoints and assistance us all maintain a safe social distance. Please note that we practice non offer coat, pocketbook, or locker storage at this time.

Is a COVID-19 vaccine required?
Visitors are not required to evidence proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter the museum.

Will everything be open up at NMNH?
We volition open as much equally nosotros determine it is safe to open, but some spaces volition remain closed for now. Visitors should cheque the website for consummate information about programs, learning venues, cafes, retail, and high-affect, interactive exhibits.

The restrooms will be open. Express locker storage is bachelor for small bags and items. The Atrium Café is currently open 11:30am-3:30pm. The Gallery Store and Family unit Shop are currently open up from 12pm-5:30pm.

The post-obit exhibits are currently unavailable:

Butterfly Pavilion

Will the museum cafés and retail shops be open up?

The Atrium Café is open from eleven:30am-three:30pm. The Ocean Terrace Café will remain airtight during the initial phase of reopening. The Family Store, Gallery Store, and Gems and Minerals Store are open from 10am-5:30pm.

Will guided tours, demonstrations, and events resume?
All on-site public tours and events are currently suspended.

Is in that location a coat or pocketbook cheque at the museum?
We take express locker storage available for small bags and items. Visitors are encouraged to travel as lightly as possible and refrain from bringing large bags and packs for the all-time museum experience.

Are there family-friendly restrooms?
A restroom designated for family unit apply is located on the 1st floor of the museum, off of the Sant Ocean Hall.

Can I bring my stroller, scooter, walker, wheelchair or whatever blazon of mobility device?
The museum is attainable to visitors using strollers, scooters, walkers, wheelchairs, and mobility devices. There are elevators available to visitors on every floor of the museum.

Are wheelchairs available?
A very express number of transmission wheelchairs are available free of charge on a commencement-come, start-served basis for use while visiting the museum. Yous are encouraged to bring a wheelchair with you due to limited availability.

How do I contact the museum with questions?
For more information nigh visiting the museum, please email NaturalExperience@si.edu.

The post-obit safety measures are in place to protect the health of our visitors, staff, and volunteers based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Command and Prevention (CDC) and local governments. We ask that all visitors, including those who accept been vaccinated against COVID-nineteen, follow these safety measures to protect everyone'due south health.

Please note that nosotros may adjust our safety guidelines based on changing CDC COVID-19 Community Levels. Nosotros encourage visitors to regularly check our website before their visit for the latest guidelines. Washington, D.C. is currently in the CDC's Low Customs Level category. During this fourth dimension, we are implementing the post-obit safety measures:

If Sick, Stay Domicile
We are asking all visitors who are sick or feel unwell to please stay habitation.

Visitors are encouraged to wash and sanitize hands frequently during their visit. Hand-sanitizing stations will exist bachelor throughout our facilities.

Confront Coverings
As of March 11, masks are non required to visit Smithsonian museums or the National Zoo.

While it volition not exist required, all visitors who feel more comfortable wearing a face mask during their visit are encouraged to do then.

Proof of Vaccination
Visitors are not required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter the museum.

Annotation: Special events and some later-hours programming may require guests to provide proof of vaccination.

Social Distancing
The Smithsonian welcomes millions of visitors each year. We encourage visitors to maintain a safe social distance of six feet or more between households and groups when possible, but our museums go crowded, peculiarly during acme visitation times. Visitors who wish to avert crowds are encouraged to plan their visit during weekdays.

Hygiene
Please wash and sanitize hands frequently during your visit and practice good hygiene. Hand-sanitizing stations will exist available throughout our facilities.

Museum Accost
The museum is located on Madison Dr. NW, between 9th St NW and 12 St NW (Google Map). Visitors may enter on Madison Ave. or at 10th St. NW & Constitution Ave. NW.

Metro
The closest Metro stations to the museum are the Federal Triangle Metro station, located on the Bluish, Orange, and Argent lines; the Archives/Navy Memorial station on the Green and Yellowish lines; and the Metro Center station on the Red line. View a map of the closest Metro stations.

Parking
In that location are no Smithsonian Institution public parking facilities on the National Mall. At that place are a number of nearby commercial lots and garages which may take bachelor parking. If you must drive, delight see parking options. For boosted data on passenger vehicle parking, contact the National Park Service Mall Operations Office at 202-426-6841.

For More: Visit our Getting Here and Parking Page.

The National Museum of Natural History is committed to providing inclusive experiences for all audiences. Please contact 202-633-3611 or send an email NMNHAccessibility@si.edu for access services. For more than information visit the Accessibility Data page.

Entrance
All museum entrances and exits are accessible.

Parking
The Smithsonian does not provide parking, merely at that place are designated attainable spaces around the National Mall.

Service Animals
Service dogs particularly trained to assist a person with a disability are welcome in the museum.

Information for Visitors in a Wheelchair

All of the museum'south exhibitions are accessible by wheelchair, and all public floors of the museum can be reached by lift.
All theaters include wheelchair locations and companion seats.
All food service areas are accessible by wheelchair with no steps, turnstiles, or other potential obstructions
All museum restrooms are accessible to those with mobility disabilities or in wheelchairs. Family/companion care restrooms are located on the First Floor off the Rotunda via the Sant Bounding main Hall.

Information for Visitors Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Video presentations inside exhibitions are open captioned.
Induction loops are installed at the Rotunda Company Data Desk and the Worldwide Theater in the Hall of Man Origins.
Assisted Listening Devices are bachelor upon request for programs in Baird Auditorium and Q?rius Theater.
Sign language interpretation or real-time captioning (CART) are available for public programs with a two week advanced notice. To request this service, please telephone call (202) 633-5238 or electronic mail NMNHAccessibility@si.edu.

Data for Visitors Who Are Blind or Partially Sighted

Tactile objects are provided for all visitors at designated points throughout the museum. A full listing of tactile objects can be found at the Data Desks in large impress and braille.
Verbally-described tours with tactile elements designed for visitors with visual disabilities are available with a two-week avant-garde notice. Subject field to volunteer availability. To request this service, please call (202) 633-5238 or eastward-post NMNHAccessibility@si.edu.
The Deep Time Sound Description App utilize the accessibility features native to a visitor'southward phone to explore the new Fossil Hall through a self-guided tour. Much of the Fossil Hall exhibition has been summarized into a manageable size and integrated with visual descriptions of primal content, videos, touchscreen interactives, and iconic specimens. The app features in-depth descriptions of the 29 tactile opportunities within the gallery. The app also provides images with alt text and captions, a Often Asked Questions section, and a search function.
- Apple Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/deep-time-audio-clarification/id1465972882?ls=1
- Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=edu.si.natualhistory.deeptime

Information for Visitors with Developmental, Learning & Sensory Disabilities

Agenda of Events
This agenda of events highlights some of the programs and activities that will be happening at the museum.

For More: Visit Our Accessibility Information Page

We are committed to visitor safety and accept security measures in place to keep you and Museum objects protected. When you go far at the Museum you can wait a full security screening like to what you might experience at the airport, except you can keep your shoes and belts on.

Help speed your entry into the Museum past having your bags open and ready for inspection, and empty your pockets before going through the screening station.

Items Not Permitted in the Museum

Firearms / ammunition
Knives (including pen, pocket or "Swiss Regular army"-style knives)
Aerosol cans (including pepper spray and Mace)
Pair of scissors
Tools (screwdrivers, awls, etc.)
Placards, signs, or banners
Pets (except service animals)
Wagons (collapsible and fixed bike)

Items You Are Prohibited from Using Inside the Museum

Tripods
Monopods
Selfie sticks
E-cigarettes
Skateboards / scooters

Items Permitted in the Museum

Strollers
Cameras
Mobility aids (canes, walkers, etc.)
Service animals (not emotional support animals)
Bottled water

Check the Smithsonian's security policy for the most up-to-engagement information.

The museum's Security Office is located on the Footing Floor in the north (Constitution Avenue) lobby adjacent to the elevators.

Dining

Ocean Terrace Café
Open up 11:30am-four:00pm
Location: Showtime Floor

Atrium Café
Open 11:30am-3:30pm
Location: Ground Floor

Shopping
Selected merchandise items in our shops are now bachelor for purchase online at the Smithsonian Shop.

For inquiries well-nigh our museum stores, please contact the NMNH Shop Management Team at 202.633.2060.

Gem and Mineral Store
Location: Second Floor
Open up 10:00am – 5:30pm

Gallery Store
Location: Ground Floor, Evans Gallery
Open 10:00am – 5:30pm

Family unit Store
Location: Footing Flooring, Evans Gallery
Open x:00am – v:30pm

Dinos and More Shop
Location: Offset Floor, nearly the Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals
Temporarily Closed

Natural History Express Kiosk
Location: 2nd Floor, near Beauty Rich and Rare
Temporarily Airtight

Bag Lunches
Seating for bagged lunches is non currently available. Bagged lunches must be stowed abroad at all times while visiting the museum and must eaten outside of the Museum. The museum has no refrigerated storage for lunches.

Nursing Station
The museum now has a dedicated public nursing room. Located in the Constitution Avenue Lobby, the public nursing room allows our visitors to nurse in private and is close to the restrooms and health unit of measurement.

Pets
Pets (except service animals) are not permitted in the museum. Emotional support animals are non permitted in the museum.

Photography
The Smithsonian permits still and video photography for noncommercial employ but in its museums and exhibitions, unless otherwise posted. For the safety of our visitors and collections, the use of tripods, monopods, and selfie sticks is not permitted at whatever time. Working members of the media who need to utilise a tripod or monopod must obtain permission from the museum's Press Function and must be escorted by a museum staff member while in the building.

Observe: Visitors may be filmed, photographed, or recorded by the Smithsonian for educational and promotional uses, including for posting on the Smithsonian's and other public websites.

Wi-Fi
The museum provides gratis Wi-Fi access; cull the "si-visitor" network on your device. No password necessary. This is a public, unsecured network.

Smoking
Smoking is prohibited in all Smithsonian facilities. This includes e-cigarettes.

Please meet the "Prepare for Security" section higher up for items that are not permitted inside the museum.